These Standards of Practice provide guidelines for a real estate inspection and define certain terms relating to these inspections. Italicized words in these Standards are defined in Part IV, Glossary of Terms.

A real estate inspection is a survey and basic operation of the systems and components of a building which can be reached, entered, or viewed without difficulty, moving obstructions, or requiring any action which may result in damage to the property or personal injury to the Inspector. The purpose of the inspection is to provide the Client with information regarding the general condition of the building(s). Cosmetic and aesthetic conditions shall not be considered.
B. A real estate inspection report provides written documentation of material defects discovered in the inspected building’s systems and components which, in the opinion of the Inspector, are safety hazards, are not functioning properly, or appear to be at the ends of their service lives. The report may include the Inspector’s recommendations for correction or further evaluation.
C. Inspections performed in accordance with these Standards of Practice are not technically exhaustive and shall apply to the primary building and its associated primary parking structure.

Standards of Practice

A real estate inspection includes the readily accessible systems and components or a representative number of multiple similar components listed in Sections 1 through 9 subject to the limitations, exceptions, and exclusions in Part III.

Systems or components of a building, or portions thereof, which are not readily accessible, not permanently installed, or not inspected due to circumstances beyond the control of the Inspector or which the Client has agreed or specified are not to be inspected

Fire extinguishing and suppression systems and components or determining fire resistive qualities of materials or assemblies

Elevators, lifts, and dumbwaiters

Lighting pilot lights or activating or operating any system, component, or appliance that is shut down, unsafe to operate, or does not respond to normal user controls

Operating shutoff valves or shutting down any system or component

Dismantling any system, structure, or component or removing access panels other than those provided for homeowner maintenance

The Inspector may, at his or her discretion:

Inspect any building, system,component, appliance, or improvement not included or otherwise excluded by these Standards of Practice. Any such inspection shall comply with all other provisions of these Standards.

Include photographs in the written report or take photographs for Inspector’s reference without inclusion in the written report. Photographs may not be used in lieu of written documentation.

IV – Glossary of Terms

Note: All definitions apply to derivatives of these terms when italicized in the text.

Appliance: An item such as an oven, dishwasher, heater, etc. which performs a specific function

Building: The subject of the inspection and its primary parking structure

Component: A part of a system, appliance, fixture, or device

Condition: Conspicuous state of being

Determine: Arrive at an opinion or conclusion pursuant to a real estate inspection

Device: A component designed to perform a particular task or function

Fixture: A plumbing or electrical component with a fixed position and function

Function: The normal and characteristic purpose or action of a system, component, or device

Functional Drainage: The ability to empty a plumbing fixture in a reasonable time

Functional Flow: The flow of the water supply at the highest and farthest fixture from the building supply shutoff valve when another fixture is used simultaneously